10 WWE Superstars and the factions they could join in NJPW
One thing that catches the eye about New Japan Pro Wrestling is how its major roster is divided into a multitude of factions that are warring with one another but not necessarily dominating the show and storylines in the conventional sense.
In pro wrestling in America, since the establishment of the NWO, faction wars in wrestling have constituted one super group battling against a ragtag group of individuals loosely affiliated with one another; or factions have taken precedence in the undercard, building bouts for multiple Superstars and grooming young prospects for stardom.
While TNA/Impact Wrestling is generally known to use and abuse the trope established by New World Order on a constant basis, WWE prefers to either keep its factions as dominant upstarts challenging the establishment for a while, or corporate makeovers taking control of the show and pushing those they see fit, for their agendas.
In New Japan, some factions consist of rowdy outsiders, or management-backed wrestlers. If any Superstar wants to make it in Japan, they will have to quickly to decide whom to align with or they might just remain on the fringes of greatness forever.
Recent returnee Switchblade, for example, despite embodying the classic lone gunslinger (or is it Blade Runner?) decided rather than taking on the Bullet Club alone, he'd join the popular CHAOS stable.
When Cody Rhodes decided to make his foray into the dangerous pastures of the indie scene, he was lucky enough to find a friend in the Bullet Club, and what success he has had. As fans, we're always clamouring for the underused talents in the WWE to quit and head to the indies, just so that they may end up in New Japan.
So it got me thinking, what if by some miracle WWE's current top Superstars decided to jump ship to New Japan.
Would Roman Reigns really turn muscle again among the Club? Or could he take a spot under the wings of Tanahashi and Friends?
Is the laidback Dean a perfect fit for the Los Ingobernables de Japon? Or maybe he taps into that crazy side and joins Suzuki Gun?
(PS: Since it'd be a struggle to determine where each member of the WWE roster would go to, I've only done this fantasy booking for a few select top stars minus, of course, those who had already arrived from New Japan)
Roman Reigns goes to...
...the Bullet Club!
Starting big right off the bat with the 'Big Dog' Roman Reigns!
Imagine if Vince McMahon's golden boy decided to pack his bags and head east? I'll just say it, I'll miss Michael Cole calling his name as he makes his way to the ring. No, I'm just kidding.
If he were to head to New Japan, I'm sure Vince McMahon would love nothing more than to see his pet project not only join the pure babyface affiliate of Tanahashi and Friends but also eventually turn that into Roman Reigns and Friends. Of course, that's never happening and even then Reigns isn't going to be fully embraced by the crowd, the way Vince dreams.
So then Roman Reigns goes to the Bullet Club.
He's already got the SHIELD vest and the bad ass attitude to match. He'd fit right in with powerhouses like Tama Tonga and Bad Luck Fale or superstars such as Cody and Kenny Omega. While there is tension between Omega and Reigns, stemming from their company loyalties, this will fuel the fire for more competition within the Club to be the Alpha dog.
While I truly wish the SHIELD could reunite in New Japan and cause havoc, for now, Reigns sits pretty with his Bullet Club brothers for life!